"Anytime, anywhere, any media, any screen."

That idea opened the NETGEAR press conference, in which the focal point was channeling all media devices into one place. NETGEAR obviously being a company that develops networking equipment, routers and servers are an excellent angle to acheive such a feat. More specifically, NETGEAR advertised the ability to "watch any digital media on any screen at any time from any where, at home or away from home."

Drew Meyer, Director of Network Storage Products, was soon introduced to go into the necessary hardware more in depth. He opened with the NETGEAR Stora, a 1TB device server that was in the center stage of this morning's conference. Mr. Meyer then pulled out an iPhone (though any handheld platfrom could be used) with a wireless 3G connection to connect to his Stora device at home. "The Stora does three things really, really well. It's as easy as A, B, C: Access, back-up, and centralize." To show that this wasn't some pre-conditioned performance, Mr. Meyer asked a member of the press with a handheld device to connect to the device as well. Using screens on the stage, he was able to show us exactly step for step how it works, first pulling a personal picture of his grandmother from the Stora and displaying it on his phone. Pictures are only the beginning as well; browsers and even saved video files, such as the exampled Fast and Furious movie trailer.

Then, switching to a PC browser, Mr. Meyer visitied MyStora.com account to show how easily media could be managed from anywhere, including a 3-D picture wall. "This is beyond just an access platform; we're actually using it as a media player." The Stora also allows for some powerful sharing abilities, able to post a direct URL or email for others to access the media as well, including social networking sites. "That will give specific people access to specific data." He used his grandmother again as an example, a woman who will be 100 in February and not quite tech savvy. Mr. Meyer and his brother had purchased a Stora for her along witha digital picture frame, in which they can drop files from their houses and drop pictures to the photo frame that display in hers.

The television then took the spotlight, allowing connection to the network so that media on the network can be viewed and enjoyed from the TV, "bridging the gap between the TV and the network."

Chris Geiser, Project Marketing Manager of Home and Consumer Products, took the stage next to introduce some new products. Focusing on online content, and their lack of high quality vs. home televisions that are in high-definition. Mr. Geiser then showed a side by side demonstration of one standard showing of a HD display trying to show a HD clip and NETGEAR technology running the same clip, the latter obviously looking much crisper and detailed. "The challenge of playing HD video, as you know, is really maintaining a very good, broadband connection." Often that connection is unreliable, and NETGEAR has focused on curing that issue, allowing exapansion of bandwidth up to three times. using NETGEAR technology integrated into their products, there was no hindering of the 8.5MB stream, and so the video neither jumps, stalls, or gets reduced to help with load times, allowing for HD quality to be streamed to a home television. "All of these video enhansive capabilities are going to be integrated into multiple, upcoming NETGEAR multimedia and networking products."

The 'utimate networking machine' was then brought to light, the RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N Gigabit router, the number one networking product of CES last year, which was running the entire demonstration. A Wireless-N HD Bridge, an industry first 4x4 MIMO 11N video screening."This kit will provide an unprecedented level of reliability of wireless preformance, including supporing full 1080p 35 Megabit HD stream in houses 3,000 square feet. This will be coming out this spring."

PowerLine took the stage next, which is the ability to use power outlets to connect devices through a network as opposed to Ethernet cables. New devices for the PowerLine introduced were the PowerLine 280 Adapter, which is up to 50% smaller than competitor devices. The 280+ adapter model features a filtered pass-through socket so the device doesn't eat up an outlet. Both these devices support high-definition streaming and other demanding applications, including online gaming.

An industry first, 5 port AV Gigabit switch, designed specifically for home use, was introduced next. The home gaming and theater swtich connects all devices together and to the Internet. "It will allow you to optimize and prioritize the performance of your Internet connection for these high demanding applications, like netwrork video, online gaming, and digital music streaming." The switch also features color-coded ports to help with prioritizing operations.

The press were left with a teaser at the end of the conference, a product unveliment for the next night with a partnership between NETGEAR and Intel, with a hint of a digital convergence product.

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The Toshiba conference began with the AVP, Maria Repole, speaking about Toshiba’s current marketing standpoint. Collaborating with ESPN Toshiba is reinventing its ad campaign and targeting a younger generation through familiar and humorous content. Keeping in mind the role that social networking plays in the current market, Toshiba has been making efforts to keep the forum open and including video messaging, and social networking in their advertising campaigns. Speaking further, Repole went on to explain Toshiba’s ‘Green’ standpoint. Toshiba’s strategy is called Environmental Vision 2050, where they’re putting emphasis on recycling , tree planting, and a direct collaboration with MRM. Recently, they’ve been awarded with the National Plug into Recycling challenge award.

The president and CEO, Mr. Atsushi Murasawa spoke about the direction of Toshiba's products. Toshiba Green strategy called Enfironmental Vision 2050, putting emphasis on recycling, tree planting philanthropic efforts, collaboration with MRM, awared recently First Nation Plug into Recycling challenge award.

President CEO Mr. Atsushi Murasawa took the stage next, focusing on the television experience in 2010. Introducing the Cell TV in America, it opens a whole new dimension for entertainment. This year has been a year for 3D movies, and Cell TV will bring the ultimate 3D experience into the home for 2010. It has the ability to change 2d into 3d in real time as well. From home movies, to recorded tv shows, will sync up with the bdx-3000 new blue ray player with built in wireless technology allowing to watch anywhere in the home. At the heart of the Cell TV is the cell broadband engine, GFLOPS over 143 times faster than standard gaming machines of today.

Vice President Scott Ramirez was introduced next, discussing the industry trends of 2009. in which the LCD TV industry did 24 million in 2008, and in 2009 had over 27% growth to 30 million units. 2010 is forcasted to be 10% more growth. Although revenue was down 4.5%, 22-23" and bigger than 50 inch is where there's any positive gain in revenue, far outperforming plasma. The prices actually came up on 50-55 inch tvs because of LED televisions. Holiday sales were up 5.9%, annual unit sales up 27%, however, annual revenue is down 4.5%. Consumer Value has come at the expense of Industry Profitability. Consumer Buying Patterns have changed to shopping for benefits and value. Use of broadband of internet connectivity is higher, and streaming video is where the focus is at now. Consmers are getting more connected, PCs, smart phones, blu rays, etc. Cell TV has the power to realize these needs of connecting it all together.

"The processing makes the picture... and the experience." 2010 will see 10 new TV Series 7 are LED, Toshiba Series 6 Series 3 CCFL and 3 LED cinema series, 2 LED series, all with ultra thin designs. Cell TV will be the ultimate TV, but exactly what is Cell TV... not just a TV anymore. The cell engine is 8 core processos each processer is 3.2 ghz, 200 GFLOPS, 10 x faster than a desktop and 143x faster than todays televisions. Super Resolution technology takes video content that is not full HD and makes it look like Full HD, adds in pixels, like audio compression algorithims.

Net Super Resolution+ detects noise compression inherient in internet video, 60 frames are converted into 240 frames, adding full array baclkigh scanning giving 480 scenes per second. Auto view allows auto adjusting to brightness, contrast, gamma, sharpness, color saturation etc. Now there's a color censor built in to get the proper color temperature based on the lighting in the room. This also features built in Wireless HD, draft N, DLNA, USB movie playback, and Net TV Channels (High Value CSPs), Built in Video Phone capabiltiy for VOIP.

Net TV Channels, moves from techonology to content quality and universal access, movies ot music to picutres, and social networking. VOIP will allow it turn inot a video phone as well. Super Resolution Technology maintains high quality video images on super large screens, and it has 1TB HDD for home entertainment server capability, a built in BD player, recorded media onto the HDD for multi room playback, record, download, or transfer from PC, and an RF remote for simple control from any room. This 3D TV for the next generation, plus tri vector real time technology that uses Frame Sequential System, 480hz in 2d mode becomes 240hz for each eye when in 3d mode and uses active shutter 3D glasses. This can take take anything we watch and turn it into 3D, and makes 3D TV usable every day from day one. tv programes, BD movies, home movies, vdieo games, all of it.

The Panel KIRA2 Super Local Dimming LED technology is going to be better than anything on the market. 512 zones, 5x current LED, higher 1,000 cd/m2 brightness deeper 9m:1 dynamic contrast; black is blacker and white and whiter.

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There was very little room to move at the Samsung Press Conference Wednesday afternoon, as David Steel took the stage to announce the new corporate mission statement of Samsung: "Inspire the world. Create the world." He goes on: "It's a vision of a world where anything is possible." Steel continued to reveal that their investment in LED TVs, which were expected to sell poorly only a year ago, we're prospering well. He went on to say that Samsung was also now the number one brand for mobile phones in the US market. Despite the current economy, Steel said that Samsung is optomistic about the electronics industry, and believes that those who not only survive but excel will be strong and innovative, targeting to increase sales from $110 billion to $400 billion in 2020. Eco-management was also detailed, revealing that Samsung now chose supplies, manufacturing, consumers, disposal, and others that were environmentally friendly, and their entire trip in Vegas was carbon friendly.

Samsung outlined three focus points: product innovation, applications, and connectivity. Exciting customers, developing multi-platfrom and useful apps, and connecting devices and people to work together we're top concerns. Tim Baxter, President of Samsung Electronic of America, took the stage next. Applications was the first topic, tieing them together with TV. On the phone however, applications and widgets are available for download. An App store was announced, allowing users to download applications for all three of phone, TV, and Blu-Ray players, accesible even through the TV using the remote. Free applications will release in the Spring, and premium in the Summer. One of the more significant announcements was that the application development tools for Samsung would be open for everyone. "If you thought it was fun building an app for a phone screen, I have a 55-inch LED screen that I'd love to share with you."

3-D telelvisions are a recurring theme this year at CES, and Samsung has not left themselves out of the trend. However, what quickly has set them apart was the unveiling of the ultra thin 9000 3-D LED TV, 0.3" wide, which is the width of a pencil. Two other models of 3-D televisions were also revealed, as well as a new line of LCD. To continue with the 3_D experience, a partnership between Samsung, Dreamworks Animation, and Technicolor was announced, bringing 3-D Blu-Ray discs to the home theater platform.

Also notable was Samsung's new MP3, the Samsung IceTouch, featuring a 2" transparent touch screen so that selecting options by touch can be done from the back of the device, eliminating the finger blocking the front screen when manuevering meuns and operations. Plansto build upon the dual-view camera revealed lasat year were also revealed, as well as Samsung's new line of eReader productes.

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Monday Jan 4th - We left Ohio City around 4PM. Since our flight was at 6:30AM from Dayton Airport, and they recommend arriving two or so hours early, we literally would have gotten no sleep at we need driven up ahead of time. We stayed the night at the Dayton Airport Hotel, working a little on reviews, tried to play MW2 and failed, and eventually fell asleep to Family Guy around midnight.

Tuesday Jan 5th - With only three hours to catch some good sleep, none of us really did before we woke up at 3AM to check in for the flight. Given the time of day, the airport wasn't horribly busy and we man aged to get through fairly quickly. We boarded the plane without any issues but  sat for about a half hour while they sprayed de-icer. It could have been worse; poor Garrett missed his connecting flight for the same reason. The flight went extremely smooth, about two and a half hours before we reached our lay over in Denver.

After killing some time at the airport and eating an early brunch, we finally got on our second flight to Vegas, this time equipped with three seat rows and TVs (though you had to pay after take off). After about a two hour flight, we finally landed in Las Vegas at 11AM local time, and took a shuttle bus to our hotel, Circus Circus. We checked in and unpacked in our room, setting up the mobile LanOC office and getting a few things together before heading out to grab so lunch.

We're finishing up the day now, preparing with Garrett finally here for Press Day of CES 2010.

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Noctua’s original NF-P12 fans become known for excellent air flow to noise ratio, and Noctua has tried to take the new NF-P14 FLX  fans to the next level with an extra 2cm form factor.  They do this while providing mounting compatibility with 120mm mounts.

Read On at BCC Hardware...

"Today I am going to check out the ATI HD 5870 video card. This card is one of the highest performing ATI video cards in the line and offers gamers lots of performance. If you have a video card on your holiday wish list, the XFX Radeon HD 5870 may be exactly what you need."

Read On at I4U...

A guitarist is only as good as the dedication that's put in. The backbone of a musician is correct tuning, timing and talent. BOSS works on tuning and timing with the TU-88.

Read On at TechwareLabs...

The Lian Li PC-B26FB stuffs the high quality interior we have come to expect into an edgy and fairly elaborate exterior. Along the clean lines and top cover with two additional fans, you get a large, blue ring of light in the front. The CaseKing KingMod Edition adds sound insulation material to the chassis to drown out some of the noise the PC makes.

More Information at techPowerUp...

Want to purchase a Radeon HD 5870, but can't find one in stock? One alternative to consider is instead purchasing two Radeon HD 5770's to take advantage of CrossFireX. Not only does this solution save you up to $80 at current pricing, but it proved in our results to offer even better performance in select titles, such as with Modern Warfare 2.

More Information at Techgage...

When the Seagate Barracuda XT was revealed as the World's first-ever third generation SATA 6GBps hard drive, expectations for performance were raised to match the new bandwidth limit. While this drive offered tremendous storage capacity paired to good performance, the transfer speeds were nowhere near the second generation SATA 3GBps limit. This is where Benchmark Reviews turns to our vast collection of Solid State Drive storage products, some of which eclipse the SATA-II range. However, our history of SSD performance tests on the Intel ICH10 Southbridge would prove to be very different than our results on the new Marvell 88SE9123 or 88SE9128 SATA-III chips. In this article, Benchmark Reviews compares Marvell SATA 6G SSD performance against tests on the Intel ICH10 chipset.

More Information at Benchmark Reviews...

"The CoD series has been around for a long while already, but it was the last game in the series, Modern Warfare, that really struck gold and made the game mainstream. It was also the first game in the series to take place in a modern day setting, now the Modern Warfare 2 is offering more of the same - lets see if it manages to do it as well as the original MW did."

Read On at Metku.net

In the midst of a global recession, the budget case market is exploding.  Let's check out what NZXT has to offer in the Beta EVO.

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New downloadable content is available for Guitar Hero and Band Hero for the Xbox 360, Playstaion 3, and Wii. The Fall of Troy Track Pack features three songs from their latest album, including "Panic Attack," "A Classic Case of Transference" and "Single."

The Fall of Troy Track Pack is now available via Xbox LIVE Marketplace for 440 Microsoft Points, from the PlayStation Store for $5.49 and the Wii Shop Channel for 550 Wii Points.  The three songs are also now available as single downloads for Xbox 360 for 160 Microsoft Points, PlayStation 3 for $1.99 and Wii for 200 Wii Points each.

HELSINKI, FINLAND – December 3, 2009 – Futuremark® Games Studio today released the dedicated server for Shattered Horizon™, their multiplayer first-person shooter played in zero gravity. With dedicated servers PC gamers can choose how they want to play Shattered Horizon and who they want to play with, giving them greater protection from cheats, hackers and griefers and more control over the game’s settings. http://www.shatteredhorizon.com/

Second Turntable Controller Lets Friends and Family Join the Party

SANTA MONICA, CA – December 1, 2009 – Clubgoers, music lovers and living room legends around the world have already started the party with DJ Hero™ and now beat chemists who have been clamoring to invite their friends to join the party can spin in harmony with a standalone turntable controller, available today from the Guitar Hero Store.  With DJ competitions playing a large role in DJ culture, the inclusion of a DJ vs. DJ competitive mode in DJ Hero was a natural fit.

SANTA MONICA, CA – November 30, 2009 – There is no better way to close out the year than with Guitar Hero® and one of the hottest line-ups of downloadable content this December.  Tracks, never-before available in a Guitar Hero game, from Taylor Swift, Maroon 5, The Fall of Troy, OneRepublic and indie artists Nada Surf, Pavement and Spoon are just some of what fans can look forward to this holiday season.  Compatible with both Guitar Hero® 5 and Band Hero™, the Guitar Hero music library continues to expand and evolve as fans rock their way through the holidays and into 2010.

Elixir is known for their standard JEDEC modules, usually found in budget and mid-range systems. Their 1600 MHz tri-channel kit tries to give you that same value with a hint of overclockability thrown in the mix, for those who want that magical 1600 MHz speed, while spending as little as possible.

Read On at techPowerUp...

The Western Digital WD TV has plenty of attributes to help it score at the top of the list of media players I have checked out so far. It has a slick but simple appearance, the user interface is attractive and easy to use, the system is quick to respond to commands from the remote control, it supports plenty of file formats, and it has HDMI connectivity.

Read On at Bigbruin...